Guesthouse.
Kim Seon-a didn't sleep well.
She managed to fall asleep just as dawn was breaking, but was soon awakened by the sounds of drills outside.
She opened her eyes and stared at the bed curtains.
The images from last night are still playing in my mind.
She sat up, threw back the covers, and got out of bed.
I walked up to the bronze mirror and looked at myself in it.
His face was pale, and there were faint dark circles under his eyes.
She reached up and touched her face; her fingertips were icy cold.
I took a deep breath and began to wash and groom myself.
After washing my face, I changed into a clean robe and tied my hair up.
After doing all that, she stood in front of the mirror for a while longer.
Hmm, this should work, right?
Is this the most heartbreaking sight?
She turned around, pushed open the door, and walked out.
Park Roejang was waiting in the courtyard. When he saw her come out, he quickly went to greet her.
"Your Highness, you're awake?"
"Um."
Kim Seon-a looked at him.
"Take me to the main tent."
Park Roejang was taken aback.
"Now?"
Yes, now.
Kim Seon-a's voice was flat, but undeniable.
Park Roejang didn't dare ask any more questions, simply responded and led the way.
The two crossed the camp and headed towards the main tent.
When they encountered patrolling soldiers on the road, the soldiers would stop and salute when they saw Kim Seon-a.
Kim Seon-a -ah nodded without saying anything.
Her mind was filled with what she was about to say.
How to start the conversation, how to choose the right words, and how to make myself appear less subservient.
The more I thought about it, the more uncertain I felt.
She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
Park Roejang stopped at the entrance of the main tent.
"Your Highness, we have arrived."
Kim Seon-a -ah nodded and took a deep breath.
"You wait outside."
"Yes."
Park Roejang stepped aside.
Kim Seon-a stood at the entrance of the tent, her hand resting on the tent curtain.
She paused for a moment, then lifted the curtain.
Gu Moran the only one in the tent.
He sat at his desk, reviewing military newspapers.
Hearing the noise, he looked up.
"Why has the princess come?"
Kim Seon-a stood at the tent entrance, but didn't go in.
She looked at him, her throat dry.
" Your Prince Yi, Seon-a has a favor to ask."
Gu Moran put down the military report in her hand and leaned back in her chair.
"Why are you being so polite? Come in, come in and tell me."
Kim Seon-a hesitated for a moment before stepping into the tent.
She walked up to Gu Moran and stopped three feet away from him.
This was her instinctive reaction to the barrier.
She clenched her fists and lowered her voice.
"His Highness said yesterday... that my illness is curable. When can we begin? What conditions are required? Seon-a is willing to cooperate."
Gu Moran looked at her but didn't answer immediately.
He picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and then put it down.
"Is the princess in such a hurry?"
Kim Seon-a bit her lower lip.
"It's been twelve years, and I... I don't want to go on like this anymore."
Gu Moran up and walked around the desk.
"It can be treated, but the root of your illness lies in your heart meridian, affecting the circulation of your meridians. It can't be resolved with just one or two doses of medicine."
He paused.
"It requires long-term conditioning, with daily acupuncture to promote blood circulation, combined with internal breathing exercises. It will take at least three months, and this is only the first course of treatment."
Upon hearing this, Kim Seon-a's heart skipped a beat.
Three months?
She will stay in Great Yan for three months.
Gu Moran continued, "Moreover, the treatment cannot be interrupted. If the princess is in a hurry to return to Goryeo, I'm afraid it won't work."
Kim Seon-a remained silent for a moment.
My mind was racing, weighing the options.
Three months meant that she would have to temporarily leave the Goryeo court.
This means she is handing over state affairs to others.
This means she has to stay here, stay by Gu Moran's side.
But if it could be cured...
Enough. Her father is in charge of state affairs; why should she worry about them?
She raised her head and looked into Gu Moran's eyes.
"I can stay."
Her voice was firm.
"The letter of credence has been delivered, the alliance has been signed, Park Roejang can handle the rest."
Gu Moran raised an eyebrow.
"Has the princess thought it through?"
I've thought it through.
Kim Seon-a clenched her fists.
"I'm willing to do anything to get cured."
Gu Moran stared at her for a while.
Then he laughed.
"That's good. But there's still one more thing."
He lowered his voice.
"During the treatment, the princess had to humble herself, cooperate fully as required, and endure the pain as necessary."
Kim Seon-a Sun-ah paused for a moment.
"You are a princess, that's true, but to me, you're just a patient."
Gu Moran's gaze was calm, without mockery or contempt.
Very serious.
Kim Seon-a stared into his eyes and replied, word by word, "As long as I can be cured, Seon-a is willing to do anything."
Gu Moran nodded.
"Okay, it's settled then."
He turned around and walked back to the desk.
"The princess has dark circles under her eyes; she probably hasn't slept well. She should go back and rest today, and treatment will begin tomorrow."
Kim Seon-a stood there, stunned for a moment, then didn't move.
She watched Gu Moran's retreating figure, a lump forming in her throat.
After a long pause, she finally spoke, "Your Highness, I..."
"Um?"
Gu Moran turned to look at her.
Kim Seon-a opened her mouth, then swallowed back down.
They've already said they'll treat me tomorrow.
If I insist on it further, it would seem like I'm being unreasonable.
"It's nothing, Seon-a, I'll take my leave."
She bowed and turned to leave.
She paused at the entrance of the tent.
He glanced back at Gu Moran.
Gu Moran was engrossed in reviewing military reports and didn't notice her gaze.
Kim Seon-a bit her lower lip, lifted the curtain, and went outside.
Outside the tent, Park Roejang was still waiting.
Seeing her come out, I quickly went to greet her.
"Your Highness, how did the talks go?"
Kim Seon-a didn't answer, but simply said, "Go back. You go back to Goryeo first. I'll stay here."
The two walked back.
Park Roejang couldn't help but ask, "You're going to stay? Your Highness, are you really going to stay here?"
"Right."
"But..."
"There's no 'but'."
Kim Seon-a interrupted him.
"Take the letter of state back with you and tell my father that I will return in three months."
Park Roejang opened his mouth, wanting to persuade her again, but seeing Kim Seon-a's expression, he swallowed his words.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The two returned to the inn.
Kim Seon-a entered the room and closed the door.
Leaning against the door, I closed my eyes.
My mind was filled with the words Gu Moran had just said.
"You are a princess, that's true, but to me, you're just a patient."
She clenched her fists.
The fingernails dug into the palm, leaving red marks.
But she didn't feel any pain.
She felt as if the ice in her heart had loosened a little.